Don’t worry — Be happy — It’s good for your health

[To comment: larry at larrylitwin dot com]

This comes from Aetna’s newsletter:

Don’t worry. Be happy. It’s good for your health.The happiest place on earth isn’t Disneyworld. According to the latestWorld Happiness Report, it’s Denmark, followed closely by its neighbors, Norway and Sweden.

So what puts the Danes in such a blissful state? While a strong economy and low unemployment help, the Danes also tend to:

Work less

Focus more on experiences and less on material goods

Volunteer more

Enjoy strong social bonds

What’s the key to happiness?The United Nations (UN) report says mental health is the most important factor. With a sound mind, people can do things that bring the most rewards – work or play, and make basic personal and household decisions.

The UN report also states that happy people live longer, are more productive and earn more.

The study aims to show that well-being should be an important measurement of the world’s economic and social development. World socioeconomics aside, happiness is also good for your personal health.

A recent study by researchers at several leading U.S. universities suggests that the more optimistic you are, the better your physical health.

For more on the “optimism” study, read this report from the “PBS Newshour.”